The objective of this dissertation improvement application is to analyze and compare two areas of the primate prefrontal cortex (dorsolateral area 10 and orbitofrontal area 13) in a series from all extant hominoid species and two species of monkey brains, with recently developed computerized imaging techniques and advanced statistical sampling methods, along with new staining methods. These techniques should provide accurate and reproduceable information on the architectonics of these parts of the primate brain, including the numbers of neurons in these cortical areas, volume, and vertical structuring. The working hypothesis is that area 10, associated with many cognitive functions, will show substantial distinctions, quantitatively and structurally, while area 13, associated with emotional states and responses to social environments, will be more conservative. Reconstructions of earlier states will naturally follow if the findings, especially for the more conservative areas, fall into the expected relationships. The work requires travel and collection of additional brain samples (a number are already collected, including some rare specimens), along with subseqent analysis time. It is a most feasible and promising project.
